Track for model vehicles

ABSTRACT

A section of track having conductive rails for sliding engagement with model vehicles, wherein a plurality of wire supports are provided corresponding to respective conductive rails, a wire is supported by each wire support and connected to a respective rail, and holding members are resiliently mounted adjacent to respective wires for releasably holding conductive leads against the wires.

ID iil ll'llilifimi Shades Pmem [151 dwdfi lfi lLaii eil all. lFeh. 29, T972 [54] TRAQM IFUR MQDDEL VEHMIILIES 1,686,958 10/1928 Caruso ..339/260 5,54 08 h k ..33 [72] lnventors: Cheng King ILai, Hong Kong; Charles 2 2 2113 53 5: Patrick Gums, NJ

[73] Assignee: Tyco llndustries, line, Woodbury Heights, Primary Exami'fer Ar thur Point NJ Assistant Exammer-Rrchard A. Bertsch A1!0rney--Robertson & Youtie [22] Filed: Feb. 18,1970

[211 Appl. No.: 112,254 [57] ABSTRACT A section of track having conductive rails for sliding engagement with model vehicles, wherein a plurality of wire supports [52] U.S.Cl ..238/101E, 339/260, 46/] are provided Corresponding m respective Conductive rails, a [51] illl LCi. r ..A63h19/30 Wire is Supported by each wire Support d Connected to a [38] Field of Search 339/260, 261, 244-; 23 re pective rail, and holding members are resiliently mounted 23 8/10 F; 4 adjacent to respective wires for releasably holding conductive leads against the wires. [56] References Cited 3 Uaims, 9 Drawing lFigures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,276,393 lO/1966 Lewis ..238/l0 F TItACllI FOR MODEL VEHICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known to those versed in the art, tracks for model electric vehicles require the electrical connection of at least certain conductive rails to a source of electric power. This mode of connection is advantageously of a quick connect and disconnect type, permitting of setting up, demounting, and rearrangement of track with a minimum of effort. Heretofore, quick connect and disconnect structures in model vehicle tracks did not prove satisfactory, necessitating complex and expensive structures, which were not sufficiently reliable under actual conditions of use for satisfaction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a track section for model vehicles adapted for detachable connection to a source of electric power, which is extremely easy to connect and disconnect, requiring mere finger depression of a buttonlike actuating portion and insertion or removal of a lead, and which is durable and reliable throughout a long useful life under extreme conditions of use, being inherently resistant to vibration and shock resulting from vehicle movement along the track.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a track section having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, wherein an electrical terminal construction is extremely simple, permitting of economical manufacture and assembly by mass production techniques, and effecting substantial savings in costs of materials and labor.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing a track section of the present invention, hereinafter referred to as a terminal track section, by reason of its having electric terminals.

FIG. 2 is a partial bottom plan view of the terminal track section of FIG. ll, enlarged for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG, 2, and illustrating the position of certain parts in phantom which are not seen in the section of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 44 of FIG. 3, partly broken away for increased clarity of understanding.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 4, illustrating an operative condition of use.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary transverse elevational view taken generally along the line d6 of FIG. 4, illustrating the operational condition of FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial elevational view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating a further depressed condition of the structure preparatory to use.

FIG. Ii is a partial elevational view similar to FIGS. 6 and 7, but illustrating a nonuse condition.

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the nonuse condition of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. ll thereof, there is illustrated a plurality of track sections 20, 21 and 22, arranged in end-to-end detachably connected together, aligned relation. Ad-

vantageously, the detachably interconnected end formations of the track sections 20, 211 and 22 may be as disclosed and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,243,120, issued to Lingard et al. However, if desired other end formations may be employed on the track sections 2%, 2l and 22; and, additional track sections may be arranged in end-to-end relation to define a closed or loop formation of any desired configuration.

In the provision of model tracks having track sections for use with electrically powered model vehicles, it is essential that there be at least one track section having electrical terminals for connection to a source of electric power. Such track sections are called terminal track sections; and, the track section 21 of FIG. I is a terminal track section of the instant invention.

The terminal track section 21 may be similar to the remaining track sections in including an elongate, generally fiat body 25, which may advantageously be formed of suitable insulating material, say molded of plastic. The body 25 may have its upper side 26 generally flat, and provided with one or more longitudinally extending vehicle guide means, such as grooves 27 and 23. Also carried by the track body 25, on the upper surface 26, are elongate conductive members or rails. More specifically, a pair of elongate conductive members or rails 29 and 30 are embedded in the upper track body surface 26, extending in parallelism with and on opposite sides of the guide means or groove 27. A similar pair of elongate conductive members or rails 31 and 32 are similarly carried on the upper side of track body 25, projecting slightly above the upper surface 26, extending in parallelism with and on opposite sides of the guide formation or groove 28. The guide grooves 27 and 28, and rails 29-32 are all in respective end-to-end aligned relation with corresponding grooves and rails of adjacent track sections 20 and 22. Further, the guide rails are in conductive engagement with their aligned counterparts for conducting electricity there between, say as disclosed in said patent to Lingard et al., or by other suitable electrical connection means.

The track section body 25 may be formed along its longitudinal edges with longitudinally extending, depending side flanges, as at 33 and 34, and may be formed with longitudinally extending depressions or depressed regions 35 and 36, respectively having their upper sides hollow to define the grooves 27 and 223. Also, the track section body 25 may be further formed on its under side with longitudinally extending depressions or depressed regions 39,. 40, 41 and 42, respectively conforrnably receiving conductive strips or rails 29, 30, 3i and 32. The rails or conductive strips 29-32 may be fixed in the depressed regions 39-42, respectively, as by staking or other suitable securing means.

The under side of each depressed region 39-42 is preferably cut away, as at 43, M, 35 and 46, respectively, so as to open into the upwardly facing grooves thereof and expose the respective rails 29, 3t), 31 and 32 on the under side of the track body 25, as best seen in FIG. 2. Provided adjacent to each cut away portion 43, M, 15 and 46, is a depending receiver or loop, as at I7, 43, t9 and SI), respectively. That is, each depending receiver or loop 47-50 may be formed integrally with the track body 25, depending from the under side thereof and in alignment laterally of the track section 2i with the respective adjacent cutaway portion 43-46.

One depending sidewall or longitudinal flange 34 of the track section M is interrupted in the region adjacent to the eutaway portions 43-44, see FIG. 2. More particularly, the depending sidewall or flange 34 is interrupted so as to terminate at spaced locations 52 and 53. A pair of spaced arms 54 and 55 project laterally outwardly from respective end locations 52 and 53 of the interrupted side flange 34. That is, the arms 54 and 55 extend in parallelism with each other, projecting transversely outwardly away from the track section body 25. Extending between inner end regions of the outstanding arms 54 and 55, adjacent to and spaced from the track section body 25, is an elongate member 5a of generally angle-shaped cross section, as may be seen in FIG. 3. That is, the elongate member 56 extends longitudinally of the track section 21, being spaced therefrom to define an elongate opening or slot, as at 57, and may include a generally horizontal lower wall 58, substantially flush with the lower edge of the flange 34, and an upstanding inner wall 59 terminating short of the body 25 to define therebetween the slotlike opening 57.

In addition to the laterally outstanding arms 54 and 55, there may be provided an additional pair of parallel, laterally outstanding arms 64 and 65. That is, the arms 64 and 65 may be interposed in parallelism with and in equally spaced relation between the arms 54 and 55, extending laterally outwardly from spaced intermediate regions of the elongate member 56. The plurality of arms 54, 64, 65 and 55, as well as the elongate member 56 extending between several arms, may all be fabricated integrally with the remainder of the track section. Further, the arms 54, 64, 65 and 55 are proportioned so as to have at least slight resilient deflectability toward and away from each other.

Adjacent to the distal or outer ends of the arms 54, 64, 65 and 55, there are provided wire receivers, say in the form of downwardly facing grooved lugs for receiving end portions of a wire extending between an adjacent pair of arms. More specifically, a pair of wire receivers or lugs 66 and 67 are formed respectively on the facing sides of adjacent arms 54 and 64, the receivers or lugs 66 and 67 having downwardly facing, aligned grooves 68 and 69, respectively. Similarly, a pair of aligned wire receivers or lugs 70 and 71 project toward each other from facing sides of adjacent arms 64 and 65, being formed therein with aligned grooves 72 and 73 opening endwise toward each other for receiving a wire. The remaining adjacent pair of arms 65 and 55 are similarly formed on their facing sides with aligned lugs 74 and 75 having aligned inwardly opening, downwardly facing grooves 76 and 77.

lnterposed between each adjacent pair of arms 54, 64, 65 and 55, and extending generally therebetween, is a wire backing member or bar, in at least partial alignment with the grooves of the adjacent wire support lugs. In particular, a wire support or backing member 78 extends from the arm 64 toward and terminates short of the arm 54. Further, the wire supporting bar or backing member 78 may extend generally from the lug 67 toward and terminate short of the lug 66, lying in a plane at least partially over the plane of grooves 69 and 68. Similarly, a backing bar or member 79 extends from the wire receiving lug 71 toward and terminates short of the wire receiving lug 70, at least partially in the plane of aligned grooves 73 and 72, so as to overlie a wire extending therebetween.

Further, a similar wire backing member or bar 80 may extend from the wire support lug 75 toward and terminate short of the wire support lug 74, in at least partial alignment with the plane of grooves 77 and 76 so as to overlie a wire extending between said grooves. Advantageously each of the wire backing members or bars 78, 79 and 80 may be formed with a downwardly facing recess or notch, say an inverted V-shaped notch, as at 81, 82 and 83, respectively for receiving conformably shaped wires, as will appear presently.

The structure thus far described may all be formed integrally with the track section body 25, the arms 54, 64, 65 and 55 having slight resilient deflectability toward and away from each other, to effect slight resilient movement of the aligned pairs of wire receiver lugs toward and away from each other.

Assembled with the body 25, are a plurality of wires 85, 86 and 87. In particular, the wire 85 may extend between aligned lugs 66 and 67, being received in the respective aligned grooves 68 and 69. Similarly, the wire 86 may be received in the aligned grooves 72 and 73 of lugs 70 and 71, while the wire 87 may be received in the aligned groove 76 and 77 of the lugs 74 and 75. The wires 85, 86 and 87 may be of a length permitting engagement in their respective aligned pairs of lugs byslight resilient deflection of the arms 54, 64, 65 and 55, release of the arms effecting snug frictional retention of the wires in their wire receiving lugs. In this manner, the arms 54, 64, 65

and 55, together with the grooved lugs 66, 67, 70, 71, 74 and 75, all combined to define wire supports for respective wires 85, 36 and 87. If desired, the wires 85, 86 and 87 may have their medial portions bent into inverted V-shaped configurations, as at 88 in FIG. 4, which V-shaped configurations may conformably engage in the notches 81, 82 and 83 of respective wire backing members 78, 79 and 80.

The wires 85, 86 and 87 are connected to the conductive strips or rails 29-32 in a predetermined manner. In the illustrated embodiment, one wire is electrically connected to one rail of each pair, and the remaining wire is connected to the remaining rails of both pairs. That is, the wire is connected by a connecting wire 90 to one rail 32, the wire 86 being connected by a connecting wire 91 to one rail 30, and the wire 87 being connected by a connecting wire 92 to both the rails 31 and 29. The wires 85, 86 and 87 may each be integral with its respective connecting wire 90, 91 and 92, being integrally joined thereto by a generally right angle bend. That is, the wires 85, 86 and 87 extend generally longitudinally of the track section 21, while the connecting wires 90, 91 and 92 extend transversely of the track section. In particular, the connecting wire 90 extends from an end of the wire 85 over the wall 59 of elongate member 56, thence into electrical contact with the exposed portion of rail 32, and thence into the depending loop or receiver 50, so that the wire 85 and its connection 90 are effectively held in position.

Similarly, the connection 91 may be a wire integral with the wire 86, extending generally at right angles thereto into contact with the exposed nether edge of conductive strip 30, and thence through depending receiver 48, which effectively retains the wires 86 and 91 in position. If desired, the under sides of depressed portions or ribs 42, 36, 41 and 35 may be notched, as at 93, 94, 95 and 96, respectively, to receive the connecting wire 91. Similarly, the connecting wire 92 extends from one end of the wire 87, preferably integrally therewith, beneath depending receiver 49 and into engagement with exposed conductive strip 31, thence through receiver 47 and into engagement with exposed conductive strip 29. Here again, the under sides of depressed portions 42, 36, 40 and 35 may be notched or cut away, as at 97, 98, 99 and 100, to receive the connecting wire 92.

The outer or distal ends of the several arms 54, 64, 65 and 55 may all be substantially identical, each having its lower outer comer rounded, as at 102, 103, 104 and 105, respectively, and each provided on its upper corner with an outstanding projection or lug, as at 106, 107, 108 and 109.

Located outwardly of each wire 85, 86 and 87, is a generally vertically disposed, platelike holding member, as at 110, 111 and 112. Each platelike holding member 110-112 is formed with an opening, say a generally triangular central opening, as at 113, 114 and 115. The holding members 110-112 are each shiftable generally vertically, to displace its central opening 113-115 across the adjacent wire 85-87. It will be observed that the central openings 113-415 may be of triangular configuration, having an upwardly facing concave portion defined by a lower V-shaped corner, each of which coacts with the adjacent downwardly facing V-shaped portion to effectively locate a received conductive lead, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The generally vertically disposed platelike holding members 110, 111 and 112 each depend from the outer end of a resiliently flexible extension, as at 116, 117 and 118, respectively. The extensions 116, 117 and 118 each extend from their respective holding member toward and terminate in a common attachment end 120, which in assembly, extends inwardly over the wall 59 of member 56 through the opening 57 into position beneath the track section body 25. The extensions 116, 117 and 118 may all be substantially identical, each including at its outer end adjacent to the respective holding member 110, 111 and 112, a raised finger press actuating portion, as at 121, 122, and 123, respectively. The elevated finger press actuating portions 121, 122 and 123 are respectively disposed in spaced relation over wire backing members or bars 78, 79 and 811, and manually, selectively depressible toward the adjacent backing bar.

Projecting laterally from a lower region of each holding member 1111-1 12, are a pair of retaining projections engageable with lugs 1116-11l9 to retain the holding members in position relative to the arms 54, 64, b5 and 55. More specifically, the holding member 1111 is provided at its lower edge with a pair of outstanding retaining members or projections 124 respectively movable into limiting engagement with the under sides of lugs 1116 and 1117, while holding member 111 is provided on its lower edge with a pair of oppositely projecting retaining members 125 respectively movable into limiting en gagement with the under sides of lugs 1117 and 1118. Similarly, the holding member 112 is provided along its lower edge with oppositely projecting retaining members 121'} movable into limiting engagement with the under sides oflugs 103 and 1119. Also, by the inherent resilience of the extensions 116d 18 and holding members 111l112, the projections 124, 125 and 126 ride on the curved lower corners of the adjacent arms, as at 11121113104 and 1115.

The attachment end 91) is preferably formed for interfitting engagement, as by the stepped formation 127, see FIGS. 5 and 9, with the wall 59 to retain the holding members 1111412 and their extensions 1115-118 in position relative to the arms 54, 64, 65 and 55. in addition, an auxiliary holding member of centrally open platelike formation depends from each actuating portion 121-123 in inwardly spaced parallelism with the respective outer holding member 1111-112. That is, an inner or auxiliary platelike holding member 1311 depends integrally from the under side of actuating portion 121; while an inner, auxiliary holding member 131 depends from the underside of actuating portion 122 in inwardly spaced parallelism with respect to the holding member 111; and, a platelike inner, auxiliary holding member 132 depends from the actuating portion 123 in inwardly spaced parallelism with the outer holding member 112. Each of the inner, auxiliary holding members 1311, 131 and 132 is formed with a central through opening in substantial alignment with the central through opening of the adjacent parallel outer holding member 110, 111 and 112. For example, as seen in FIG. 5, the depending platelike holding member or outer tab 112 is provided with a central, triangular through opening 115. The associated inner, platelilte holding member 132 is provided with a central through opening 133 which may be substantially congruent to and in registry or alignment with the outer holding member opening 115. The outer holding members 11114112, extensions 116-1113, actuating portions 121- 123, attachment end, and auxiliary holding members 1311-132, may all be integrally formed, say by molding of plastic, and may be snap inserted into assembly with the body 25. if desired, this may be permanently assembled, as by adhesive or the like.

In connection to a source ofelectric power supply, a plurali ty of conductive leads may extend from a power supply, such as the conductive leads or wires 135, 136 and 137. The lead or wire 135 is engaged through the opening 113 of holding member 1111, while the lead or wire 136: is engaged through the opening 114 of holding member 111, and the lead or wire 137 is engaged through the opening 115 of holding member 112. By this means the leads 135, 136 and 137 are respectively electrically connected to track rails 32, 311, and 29 and 31. This mode of electrical connection is best seen in FIG. 5. it is there apparent that the lead 37 is engaged inwardly through the opening 115 of outer holding member 112 and the opening 133 of inner or auxiliary holding member 132. The lower upwardly facing edges of the opening 115 and 133 engage with the under side of the lead 137. However, the wire 37 engages with the upper side of the lead 137 at a location intermediate the holding members 112 and 132. By this means, the lead 137 is effectively frictionally held in position, the resilient extension 1151 tending to swing the holding members 112 and 132 upwardly. Release of the lead 137 may be quickly and easily effected by mere finger depression of the actuating portion 123, say to a lowermost position as illustrated in FIG. 7.

The sensing of depression to this position is illustrated by sliding movement of the projections 126 along and beyond the arcuate edges 1115 and 1114. in this depressed condition of H6. 7, the conductive lead 137 is freely insertable and withdrawable from the holding member openings and 133. Upon release of the actuating portion 123, say having withdrawn or not inserted the lead 137, the resiliently flexible extension 1115 flexes upward to the position of F168. 8 and 9, being limited by engagement of the projections 1215 with the lugs 1119 and 103.

Of course, operation of the several lead connector structures by depression of the respective actuating portions 121, 122 and 123 is identical to that described above.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the device of the present invention provides a terminal traclt section which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practi' cal conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A track section for model vehicles and having electrical terminals, said track comprising a generally flat body adapted to rest generally horizontally on a supporting surface, a plurality of conductive rails carried by and on the upper side of said body, a plurality of wire supports carried by said body and each corresponding to a respective rail, a wire supported by each wire support and connected to a respective rail, a plurality of holding members each located adjacent to a respective wire, resilient mounting means on said body mounting each of said holding members for shifting movement across the adjacent wire and resiliently urging each of said holding members for shifting movement across the adjacent wire and resiliently urging each of said holding members in one direction of its shifting movement, whereby a conductive lead is engageable between each of said wires and the associated holding member and releasably retained therebetween by the resilient urgence of said holding member, said resilient mounting means each comprising a resiliently flexible extension extending from the associated holding member and terminating in an attachment end in interfitting engagement with said body, whereby resilient flexibility of said extensions effects shifting movement of said holding members, and a plurality of auxiliary holding members each adjacent to a respective one of said first-mentioned holding members on the opposite side of the associated wire and mounted by the respectively associated extension for movement with the adjacent first-mentioned holding member, whereby a plurality of conductive leads are each engageable in held relation between one of said wires on one side and an adjacent pair of first-mentioned and auxiliary holding members on the other side, said extensions each including a finger press actuating portion remote from said attachment end, and each of said adjacent first-mentioned and auxiliary holding members comprising platelilte tabs projecting from the associated actuating portion and having aligned lead receiving openings.

2. A section of track for model vehicles and having electrical terminals, said track comprising a generally flat body adapted to rest generally horizontally on a supporting surface, a plurality of conductive rails carried by and on the upper side of said body, a plurality of wire supports carried by said body and each corresponding to a respective rail, a wire supported by each wire support and connected to a respective rail, a plurality of holding members each located adjacent to a respective wire, and resilient mounting means on said body mounting each of said holding members for shifting movement across the adjacent wire and resiliently urging each of said holding members in one direction of its shifting movement, whereby a conductive lead is engageable between each of said wires and the associated holding member and releasably retained therebetween by the resilient urgence of said holding member, said wire supports each comprising a pair of spaced arms having receivers for receiving spaced portions of a respective wire, and a backup member located between said arms for reinforcing engagement with a support wire.

3. A track according to claim 2, said backup members each extending from one of said arms toward and terminating short 5 of the other arm, and said arms being resiliently displaceable away from each other for receiving and firmly frictionally engaging a wire in the arm receivers. 

1. A track section for model vehicles and having electrical terminals, said track comprising a generally flat body adapted to rest generally horizontally on a supporting surface, a plurality of conductive rails carried by and on the upper side of said body, a plurality of wire supports carried by said body and each corresponding to a respective rail, a wire supported by each wire support and connected to a respective rail, a plurality of holding members each located adjacent to a respective wire, resilient mounting means on said body mounting each of said holding members for shifting movement across the adjacent wire and resiliently urging each of said holding members for shifting movement across the adjacent wire and resiliently urging each of said holding members in one direction of its shifting movement, whereby a conductive lead is engageable between each of said wires and the associated holding member and releasably retained therebetween by the resilient urgence of said holding member, said resilient mounting means each comprising a resiliently flexible extension extending from the associated holding member and terminating in an attachment end in interfitting engagement with said body, whereby resilient flexibility of said extensions effects shifting movement of said holding members, and a plurality of auxiliary holding members each adjacent to a respective one of said first-mentioned holding members on the opposite side of the associated wire and mounted by the respectively associated extension for movement with the adjacent first-mentioned holding member, whereby a plurality of conductive leads are each engageable in held relation between one of said wires on one side and an adjacent pair of first-mentioned and auxiliary holding members on the other side, said extensions each including a finger press actuating portion remote from said attachment end, and each of said adjacent first-mentioned and auxiliary holding members comprising platelike tabs projecting from the associated actuating portion and having aligned lead receiving openings.
 2. A section of track for model vehicles and having electrical terminals, said track comprising a generally flat body adapted to rest generally horizontally on a supporting surface, a plurality of conductive rails carried by and on the upper side of said body, a plurality of wire supports carried by said body and each corresponding to a respective rail, a wire supported by each wire support and connected to a respective rail, a plurality of holding members each located adjacent to a respective wire, and resilient mounting means on said body mounting each of said holding members for shifting movement across the adjacent wire and resiliently urging each of said holding members in one direction of its shifting movement, whereby a conductive lead is engageable between each of said wires and the associated holding member and releasably retained therebetween by the resilient urgence of said holding member, said wire supports each comprising a pair of spaced arms having receivers for receiving spaced portions of a respective wire, and a backup member located between said arms for reinforcing engagement with a support wire.
 3. A track according to claim 2, said backup members each extending from one of said arms toward and terminating short of the other arm, and said arms being resiliently displaceable away from each other for receiving and firmly frictionally engaging a wire in the arm receivers. 